Weekend Round Up

Highlanders will have to be without their captain James Lentjes for the rest of the season after the 29-year-old suffered an ankle injury during the side's 28-22 loss to Melbourne Rebels on Friday.

In a press release sent out on Monday, the Highlanders confirmed that the captain is expected to undergo surgery within the next seven to 10 days and will be out of action for between six to nine months.

"Positive discussions have taken place with stand-off Finn Russell" - Russell could make Scotland return

Finn Russell will not play for Scotland at this year's Six Nations, but could yet make return to the international stage for the tour of South Africa and New Zealand.

The Racing 92 flyhalf and coach Gregor Townsend are believe to have spoken on the phone several times last week, with conversations between the two described as "positive", but his exile from the squad is set to continue until the end of this current tournament.

He has not been considered for selection following a breach of team protocol back in January, reportedly ordering a third beer at the team hotel, breaching the pre-agreed limit of two. Full story

Welsh flyhalf Dan Biggar had to be helped from the field with a serious-looking knee injury. Biggar was released from the Wales' squad along with a number of his teammates who featured across the Premiership this weekend.

The pivot started Northampton's clash with Saracens on Saturday afternoon but last just under 20 minutes, giving Wales a big injury worry before their Twickenham date next weekend.

He had to be helped from the pitch at Franklin's Gardens after appearing to land awkwardly after taking a high ball. Full story

World Cup Winning Springbok Set To Return To The Bulls

The battered Bulls are yet to win any of their four games so far in Super Rugby 2020 but have received a boost with the confirmation that World Cup-winning star No 8 Duane Vermeulen will be heading back to Pretoria later this year.

The good news for the franchise was announced late on Saturday evening, hours after the Bulls suffered a fourth straight defeat in this year's Super Rugby season, this time a 39-24 home drubbing at the hands of the Jaguares.

Prior to that, the Bulls had lost 23-21 to the Blues and their opening two matches saw 23-15 and 13-0 away defeats to their fellow South African franchises, the Sharks and Stormers, respectively.

Six Nations To Go Behind Sky Paywall - report

The Six Nations could go behind a paywall with Sky Sports set to secure a £300 million deal for the broadcasting rights for the tournament according to a report in the Rugby Paper.

The Tenders for the live rights to the competition of more 100 international matches close before the completion of the tournament of 14 March, despite the postponed games.

According to the report by the Rugby Paper, The BBC and ITV joined forces to outbid Sky Sports when the rights came up for grabs in 2016 but they were told they were unable to join forces this time around with no joint bids allowed. Full story

After three consecutive defeats to start the Super Rugby season, the Waratahs belatedly kick-started their Super Rugby campaign with a first win of the season on Friday, claiming a 29-17 win over the Lions in Sydney.

Three defeats in as many matches to begin the season had left Rob Penney's side looking hapless, but they finally found their stride against the Lions.

Andrew Kellaway was in fine form as the Rebels ousted the Highlanders in the day's other contest, the visitors triumphing 28-22 for their first away win versus the Dunedin franchise.

Kellaway, who is back in Australia following a stint in England with the Northampton Saints, went over with runaway tries in either half of an entertaining clash. Full reports

Sharks Shine In A Poor Weekend For SA Super Rugby Teams

The Sharks outplayed the Reds 33-23 on Saturday morning in Brisbane to end their four-game Super Rugby tour of Australasia on a high note. They now return to South Africa with three wins from four away games. However, the Lions, Stormers and Bulls all suffered disappointment in their fifth-round matches.

The team from Joburg failed to get their tour off to a winning start as they went down 29-17 to the Waratahs in Sydney, while the Stormers tasted defeat for the first time this season when the Blues stunned them 33-14 in Newlands. The Jaguares kept the Bulls winless by clinching a convincing 39-24 triumph in Pretoria. Read more

Billy Twelvetrees contributed 12 points for Gloucester, but Sale Sharks held on for another Premiership victory. Sale Sharks claimed their seventh win of the Premiership season, temporarily moving them within four points of leaders Exeter Chiefs, with a 23-17 success at Gloucester on Friday.

Sale were on top in the first half but had to wait until the 26th minute and Robert du Preez's first penalty to open the scoring. They were 10-0 up by the break, however, after a Luke James try, with Bryn Evans stretching their advantage further five minutes after the restart. Full match report

There were wins for Harlequins, Saracens and Leicester on a dramatic day of Premiership action. Harlequins scored a penalty try six minutes into added time to earn an extraordinary 34-30 home win over Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs.

Phil Dollman was the other try-scorer for Exeter, whose lead over Sale, winners at Gloucester on Friday, now sits at five points. Quins, meanwhile, are up to sixth and only trail the top four by two. Full story

Munster make it four in a row as Dragons edge Cheetahs

Munster and Dragons earned home Pro14 victories over Scarlets and Cheetahs respectively. Gavin Coombes scored two tries in the last nine minutes as Munster made their numerical advantage count in a 29-10 home win over Scarlets in Pro14.

In Saturday's other game, Dragons came back from 10 points down to earn a 13-10 triumph over Cheetahs. Sam Davies scored the winning penalty five minutes after the allocated 80 were up after Jared Rosser had crossed to give the home side hope. Read more

Bristol march on with derby win at Bath, Wasps halt Exiles run

There was no debut victory for Bath new boy Rhys Webb as Bristol Bears continued their charged at a packed Rec. In-form Bristol Bears moved up to third in the Premiership with a 19-13 West Country derby win at Bath and Wasps ended London Irish's winning run on Sunday.

Wasps are up to sixth after beating the Exiles 36-26 at the Madejski Stadium. Full story

With leaders Bordeaux-Begles not in action until their match with Castres on Sunday, Lyon had the chance to reach the summit but fluffed their lines as Brive earned an impressive home victory. Jurand was the hosts' hero with three tries in the space of 20 minutes before the break as his side sprinted into a 27-6 lead at the interval. Full match reports